WW1 "Trench Dagger"

Caseydiggz · 08-05-2009, 06:45 AM

Let me just come out and say that I am no expert on these, but i saw this one in an upcoming estate auction advertisement and it caught my eye. So I did a little research and found out since this one has no maker mark on the handle it is 95% fake. Unfortunately the auctioneer didnt provide any pictures of the blade which would really be helpful. Thoughts please!

**Gary J** · 08-05-2009, 07:16 AM

Well .. my first thoughts were that the oxidation on the brass handle looks to be far lighter that the oxidation/ rust to the blade.

Personally I would have expected the brass to have turned a lot darker if it had aged at the same rate as the blade ..

Therefore ..... There is the possibility of "artificial" ageing ..

There again .. lets see what others think ..

Regards

Gary J.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 08-05-2009, 07:56 AM

Looks fine to me. Most likely a French made "Au Lion" example. A look at the blade would confirm, as that is where they were marked. I used to own one of these.

Hi Gary, I think what you are seeing in the first pic is the scabbard and not the blade.

Cheers, Ade.

**Gary J** · 08-05-2009, 08:18 AM

Ade, .. your right it is the scabbard ....

I know the knives have been repro'd .. but as ever I suppose it's down to close up inspection !

Cheers

Gary J.

Caseydiggz · 08-05-2009, 06:16 PM

I have heard about the "Au Lion" french made models but never seen one I will take a look when I attend the auction. Is the "Au Lion" model worth any less than the standard LF&C or other makers?

The reason I believed it was fake is because there are artificially aged repos from Japan going around with just the "U.S. 1918".